Brian Birdwell
| Brian D. Birdwell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 22nd district |
|
|
Assumed office July 2, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Kip Averitt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 3, 1961 Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mel Birdwell |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Granbury, Hood County, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater |
Lamar University University of Missouri-Kansas City |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Website | Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1984–2001 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Awards |
Purple Heart Legion of Merit |
Brian D. Birdwell (born November 3, 1961) is a Republican from Granbury, Texas, who represents District 22 in the Texas Senate. A retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, Birdwell is a decorated survivor of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on September 11, 2001.
To win his Senate position, one of thirty-one in the state, Birdwell defeated former Republican state Senator David Sibley in a special election held on June 22, 2010. He replaced Kip Averitt of McGregor, who had succeeded Sibley in 2002. Averitt cited health problems when he resigned from office a week after having been renominated in the March 2 party primary. In the first round of balloting on May 8, Sibley led Birdwell but fell short of the majority required to win outright. Sibley, who had supported some Democrats in the past and tried to force Birdwell off the ballot, carried endorsements from former U.S. President and District 22 resident George W. Bush, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples of Palestine, and veteran U.S. Representative Joe Barton. Birdwell secured the support of activists from Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum and the Tea Party movement, Texas Republican National Committeeman Bill Crocker, as well as several sheriffs and county commissioners across the largely conservative district. He was also endorsed by Scott O'Grady of Dallas County, a pilot shot down in Bosnia in 1996. Birdwell prevailed, 14,218 votes (57.9 percent) to Sibley's 10,339 ballots (42.1 percent).
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Wikipedia